]]>http://www.thevalleygazette.com/20340/tradition-tryouts-start-monday/feed/0Saturday: Special presentation about service dogshttp://www.thevalleygazette.com/20399/saturday-special-presentation-about-service-dogs/
http://www.thevalleygazette.com/20399/saturday-special-presentation-about-service-dogs/#commentsFri, 31 Jul 2015 13:00:11 +0000http://www.thevalleygazette.com/?p=20399Celebrate National Service Dog Day on Saturday, Aug. 1, 10 a.m. at Kellogg Environmental Center, Derby. Join others to meet some dogs involved in private and public service.

Canine skills and training are unique for their service and we encourage all ages to come and learn what it takes for a dog to learn these skills. Organizations and individuals involved in the training will be spotlighted, as well as ways to learn how to get involved.

Canines provide many services for people. Besides protection or searching skills, dogs can help people to learn to read, assist those with physical limitations and still others provide company for many people in nursing homes or hospitals. A variety of handlers will be present with their dogs to explain their specialized service and training.

This program is open to all ages but no dogs to the program.

No registration is necessary and the program is free. If possible, bring a donation of dog food for a local shelter.

The Kellogg Environmental Center is located at 500 Hawthorne Avenue, Derby.

For further information, directions, or to register call 203-734-2513 or email donna.kingston@ct.gov.

Saturday, Aug. 1, at 1:30 p.m. — The Survivors Swing Band present Swing Era music of the 1920s and 1930s and the Big Band sound that followed. Hear old tunes given a new flavor with up-beat improvisations. This is a 4-piece band made up primarily of senior musicians.

Thursday, Aug. 6, 2 p.m. — Teen Painting session where teens and tweens are invited. Create your own masterpiece with library’s supplies and free instruction from a visiting member of the traveling Art Truck.

Monday, Aug. 10, 1 p.m. — Cartooning for Kids, a free program for children ages 5 and older. Create your own characters and guide them through an adventure, or bring in your own ideas on making great cartoons. Register.

Thursday, Aug. 13, 4 p.m. — Teen I-Spy Movie Night, featuring Man of Steel. Watch the film and follow clues. The most number of correct answers wins you a prize. This event is open to teens and tweens. Free refreshments, including a pizza dinner at intermission. Seating is limited, so register.

]]>http://www.thevalleygazette.com/20363/upcoming-at-derby-neck-swing-music-collages-cartoons/feed/0Valley students on dean’s list at Easternhttp://www.thevalleygazette.com/20469/valley-students-on-deans-list-at-eastern/
http://www.thevalleygazette.com/20469/valley-students-on-deans-list-at-eastern/#commentsWed, 29 Jul 2015 19:20:23 +0000http://www.thevalleygazette.com/?p=20469Eastern Connecticut State University recently released the names of full-time students who were named to the dean’s list for the spring 2015 semester.

Students from the area were:

Ansonia

Diane Garzon ’15 of Ansonia was named to the Dean’s List. Garzon’s major is Political Science and Spanish.

Gabriela Wrobel ’15 of Ansonia was named to the Dean’s List. Wrobel’s major is Economics and Sociology.

Derby

Zachary Corrigan ’18 of Derby was named to the Dean’s List. Corrigan’s major is Accounting.

Katelyn Tarini ’16 of Derby was named to the Dean’s List. Tarini’s major is Visual Arts.

Elyse Tascione ’15 of Derby was named to the Dean’s List. Tascione’s major is Psychology.

Miroslaw Gruszkos ’18 of Derby was named to the Dean’s List. Gruszkos’s major is Health Sciences.

Seymour

Hannah Mirlis ’15 of Seymour was named to the Dean’s List. Mirlis’s major is Communication.

Monica Mordowanec ’17 of Seymour was named to the Dean’s List. Mordowanec’s major is English.

Brian Tomlinson ’17 of Seymour was named to the Dean’s List. Tomlinson’s major is Business Administration.

Eagle Scout Ryan Cafaro served as master of ceremonies and the invocation was given by Rev. Larry Crasilli, of the 2nd Congregational Church. Derby Mayor Anita Dugatto presented citations and gifts on behalf of the City of Derby and Scout Executive Kevin Bishop provided congratulations on behalf of Housatonic Council BSA. Also presenting a proclamation were State Representatives Linda Gentile and Themis Klarides. Letters of congratulations were received from Governor Dannel Malloy, President Barack Obama, and Senator Christopher Murphy.

Steven Tracz

Steven Tracz, 18, the son of Mike and Cindy Tracz, all of Derby. He has an older sister Hollie and older brother Mike Jr, Troop 3 Eagle Scout #274.

Steven is a recent graduate of Notre Dame High School in West Haven, where he participated in cross country, football, and indoor and outdoor track, was a member of Team ND and the outdoorsman club. Steven is a member of the Paugassett Hook and Ladder Fire Company in East Derby and an Emergency Medical Responder with the Storm Ambulance Corp.

As a member of Troop 3, Steven attended the 2011 West Coast trip, 2012 trip to the Florida Sea Base, National Scout Jamborees in 2010 and 2013, and was selected to represent Troop 3 as an exchange scout to Ireland in 2012. Steven has been and Endman in the Scout Gang Show for four years. He has worked on the aquatics staff at the Strang Scout Reservation and is working there currently. He has earned a total of 40 merit badges.

For his Eagle project, Steven and his fellow scouts beautified an area at St. Michael’s Cemetery on Silver Hill Road in Derby, which included grinding away seven stumps, laying down asphalt curbing, cutting down a tree, building two planters and putting up a new sign.

Steven will be attending Anna Maria College in Paxton, Mass. in the fall and will be majoring in Paramedicine. After college he plans to follow in his cousin’s footsteps and become a U.S. Navy SEAL.

Matthew Moran

Matthew C. Moran is the 18 year old son of Albert and Debra Moran and the brother of John Moran. Matthew was a Tiger Cub in Pack 109 in Naugatuck CT before moving to Pack 3 Derby. Matthew advanced through the program earning the Arrow of Light Award before joining Boy Scout Troop 3 in 2008.

Upon joining Troop 3, Matthew became a part of the Ghost Rider Patrol serving as Grubmaster, Scribe, Quartermaster, and Assistant Patrol Leader before becoming Patrol Leader, where he led the Ghost Riders to win both the Housatonic Council BSA Fall Camporee and the Klondike Derby.

Matthew served Troop 3 as Senior Patrol Leader and then as a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He currently is an Assistant Scoutmaster. Matthew is the Activities Director of Venture Crew 77 Ansonia and a choir director of the annual Scout Gang Show for the past 5 years. He has earned a total of 30 merit badges. Matt is a 3rd generation Troop 3 scout, along with his dad, Al, and grandfather, John Moran.

In addition to attending many weeks of summer camp at Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation, Matthew has participated in Troop 3 activities such as trips to Boston and New York City. Matthew attended the 2010 Scout Jamboree in Virginia to celebrate the 100th anniversary of scouting. In 2011, Matthew participated in Troop 3’s Pacific Coast Adventure. In 2014, Matthew was selected to represent Troop 3 as an exchange scout to Limerick, Ireland with fellow Eagle Scout Justin Patten. This summer Matt will serve as a leader on Troop 3 and Crew 33’s trip to Derby, England.

Matthew is a recent graduate of Seymour High School where he was a member of choir, performing arts club, cooking club, CISP, and was President of their chapter of Tri-M music honor society. He attends St. Mary’s Church and also teaches third grade religious education classes. Matt also works at Saint Joseph’s Center in Trumbull, CT as a receptionist.

Matt’s Eagle Scout project benefited St. Mary St. Michael School in Derby, of which he is an alumnus. Matt’s team of volunteers installed a new sign and an outdoor classroom with four benches that converts into picnic tables. The classroom will provide the students with the opportunity to learn in a different environment.

Matthew will attend Southern Connecticut State University, majoring in Elementary Education and Administration.

Dominic Livoti

Dominic Cristopher Livoti, age 18, resides in Orange with his parents Mary and Dominic Livoti and two older sisters, Olivia and Sara. Dominic is a graduate of Amity Regional High School where he was a member of the rugby club and football team. He is a member of St. Mary’s church.

Dominic joined Cub Scout Pack 3 Derby in 2003, earning the Arrow of Light award. As a member of Troop 3 and Crew 33, he has earned a total of 60 merit badges, including nuclear science and climbing. Also, at Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation he earned the mile swim award as well as the kayaking BSA award.

As a member of the Housatonic Council contingent, Dominic attended the 2010 National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia and the 2013 National Scout Jamboree at Bechtel Summit, West Virginia. Dominic also participated in the 2011 West Coast Adventure Trip, New Hampshire skiing trips, Salem Massachusetts Halloween trips, and numerous top 10 Scout trips, as a member of Troop 3 and Crew 33. Dominic has served Scouting as a patrol scribe, patrol quartermaster, patrol leader, troop quartermaster, crew quartermaster and crew president. He has also been an endman and participant in many Scout Gang Shows.

Dominic’s Eagle Scout community service project involved collecting children’s books and constructing book displays that were placed in the Ansonia YMCA, Adult Education Center in Shelton, Shelton Community Center and Both Ansonia and Shelton Boys and Girls Clubs. With the help of the Shelton Readiness Council these book displays allow children access to free books to bring them home and keep.

Dominic will be attending Eastern Connecticut State College, majoring in Environmental Science with plans of becoming a National Parks Ranger.

“Housatonic Council BSA and Troop 3 Derby are extremely proud of the efforts of Steven, Matthew and Dominic. Through Scouting they have learned the importance of giving back to the community and becoming good citizens, and we have every confidence Scouting has helped prepare them to be successful in the future”, stated Troop 3 Scoutmaster Randy Ritter, who coordinated the court of honor program.

Meet again in fall

Troop 3, was founded in 1914, and continues to be sponsored by the Derby 2nd Congregational Church, where it will resume meeting each Wednesday, 7PM beginning September 10. For more information on joining the adventures of Scouting,, call 203-732-0343.

]]>http://www.thevalleygazette.com/20461/local-troop-3-welcomes-eagle-scouts/feed/0Thursday: Fall prevention program in Seymourhttp://www.thevalleygazette.com/20459/thursday-fall-prevention-program-in-seymour/
http://www.thevalleygazette.com/20459/thursday-fall-prevention-program-in-seymour/#commentsWed, 29 Jul 2015 12:00:20 +0000http://www.thevalleygazette.com/?p=20459Joe Seres from the Physical Therapy Department of Shady Knoll Health Care Center of Seymour will present a fall prevention program at Smithfield Gardens on Smith Street in Seymour, Thursday, July 30, at 2 p.m.

Seres will provide helpful hints and exercises for balance, flexibility and strength.

]]>http://www.thevalleygazette.com/20459/thursday-fall-prevention-program-in-seymour/feed/0Valley students graduate from UNHhttp://www.thevalleygazette.com/20465/valley-students-graduate-from-unh-3/
http://www.thevalleygazette.com/20465/valley-students-graduate-from-unh-3/#commentsTue, 28 Jul 2015 20:10:18 +0000http://www.thevalleygazette.com/?p=20465The following students from the area graduated from the University of New Haven in May 2015: